Saturday, December 21, 2013

A Few of My Favorite Things

One of questions I’m asked most is “What’s your favorite thing about
being a writer?” Questions like this throw me into a tizzy, because there are
just so many options to choose from. Which to pick? Working in my jammies if I
want? Not having to battle rush hour traffic? Seeing my books in stores?
Getting wonderful reader email? Hearing that my book touched someone’s heart?
SO MANY TO CHOOSE FROM.

But…I chose.

A little backstory: If you’ve ever met me, you know how soft my voice is.
I feel as though lots of times I should carry around a microphone to be heard.
When I speak up, I feel as though I’m shouting. And even then sometimes people
still can’t hear me. I can tell by the way they nod absently or murmur “mmm-hmm.”
I’ve tried to learn to speak louder, but it’s just not natural. I don’t like
yelling all the time. Which leads me to my number one favorite thing about
being a writer.

By reading my words, you hear
me. You hear everyword. And sometimes those words make you
cranky, and sometimes those words make you cry, but most of the time they make
you happy. And that makes me happy. See why it’s my favorite?

And that leads me to another favorite thing: You, my wonderful readers,
my friends. For eight years now you’ve visited me here at the Cozy Chicks. You’ve
been with me through my kids growing up and moving out, through three different
publishers for my books, three different series, moving houses, hair troubles, a
monkey on a plane, my love of planners, and so much more. But now it’s time for
me to do one of my un-favorite things: say goodbye.

In a quest to devote more time to fiction writing, I’ve decided to leave
the Cozy Chicks. Today will be my last official post (though I’m sure I’ll pop
in from time to time). It’s been an amazing ride.

So now that we got that all out of the way, it’s time for some fun!
Choose your piece of virtual cake (any flavor you want, no calories), and let’s
have a giveaway for some of my favorite things! Books! Coffee! Chocolate!

Giveaway!

I’m giving away a $25 gift card to either Barnes & Noble OR Amazon
(winner’s choice), a $25 Starbucks OR Dunkin’ Donuts gift card (winner’s
choice), and a bag of Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark. Three separate winners will
be chosen and notified via email within 48 hours.

To enter, just fill out the form. U.S. residents only (foreign
friends, see below).

***This form doesn't play well with some tablets/mobile devices. You may have to use a PC to enter.***

I am so glad you spent time as a Cozy Chick - it's how I "met" you and began reading your books. So thankful for the opportunity to have heard you in this special place and will miss your posts. One of my favorite things is Burt's Bees Buttermilk Bath Soak. It is so soothing, both the fragrance and the feel of it in the bath. Ahhhh. Wishing you all the best!

One of my favorite things is...Reading! (big surprise!) Actually, as I explained to co-workers just days ago, it isn't that I just enjoy reading...I can't NOT read....I always have to have a book going. I do admit to having a little bit of panic if I realize I finished my book stack and don't have anything ready to read as soon as my current book is finished. Thank you, Heather (and other authors) for always writing new things! It helps us with our addiction! :)

As you already know, I will miss you. I will still see you on Facebook and your own blog, but the cozy chicks, is just, cozy. I am very glad to have discovered your books, as I love them. My favourite thing is of course reading, but one detail of that, is discovering new authors to love and then devouring their backlists. Merry Christmas Heather!

What a wonderful question! And I love your answer. Out of all the possibilities, you picked your readers. Your books are fabulous, no wonder you have fans all over the world. Have a wonderful holiday, Heather.

One of my favorite things, watching/listening to my daughter read. She's six and has been reading for several years now (early reader). She just recently "got" chapter books. She cannot wait to see what happens next, so we end up reading far longer than expected. I have loved watching her discover my one true love, reading for pleasure.

Apologies on entering the second giveaway. My page wasn't loading correctly and when I refreshed, I had entered that one! Please ignore. :)

I'm sorry you are leaving. One of my favorite things is books (I love your books!) If I didn't have books I wouldn't know what to do. I have your latest waitong for me for when I finish moving and christmas is over.

I like that the reader gets to connect with the author in an incredibly fabulous way. I love author blogs; I love author Facebook posts. I love my author's books. Thank you for having done these blogs. Your Facebook posts are great! It gives the reader an opportunity to embrace the author in a more complete way. We not only get to love your talent, but we come to love "you", as you are revealed. How fun is that for a reader and their favorite author. That is why I not only like the connection, but I love it! I think readership has been given a gift when blogs, Facebook, etc. came around. What's not to like?

Frankly, I'm amazed that any author can get any writing done these days, what with Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and websites all demanding input in the quest for self promotion. While I miss people when they cut back on all the sites, what I miss most is seeing their books. So, enjoy your writing time!

You've made me all mushy and I have guests coming shortly!!! I love your books because I love your sense of humor, you sense of family, and your sense of justice and fair play. I also love a good cup of coffee while reading them. ;-) I'm sorry that you will no longer be writing here, but I'm very glad to hear that you will continue to write your books...they are a delightful carrot that has gotten me through more "chores" then you will ever know. Thank you.

It's an interesting balance, Patty, for sure. :) But worth it for the friends I make. I'm working on edits today, then it's back to writing the second Potion book. No rest for the wicked, er, weary? LOL. :)

I'm glad you're making this choice!!! Love your books and thank you for this giveaway. I'll tell you, I will never stop being starstruck with I get to speak directly to an author, thanks for giving us that opportunity!

I love writing as well, and as you mention, there are so many things to love about writing. However, I do fight traffic and can't wear my jammies to work, but when I get the spare time to write I love it because I am creating!! I think writer's touch other people's lives in ways they may not even know :)

Those are some good favorite things. ;-) I too chose a career that helps accentuate my 'weaknesses' aka being silly and childish! Daycare! :D Which brings me to one of my favorite things. Making people smile, particularly those little folks! =) I love trying to get a cranky baby to stop crying and smile or even giggle! Of course it's just as fun if they were happy to begin with. Of course jammies and a good book rank right up there as well! :)

I enjoy all your series. I was luck to meet you , Denise and rest of the Deadly Divas in Oct 2012. As a reader it is a huge honor to meet authors the enjoy reading! We, cozy fans thank you, Heather for always keeping us entertained and excited to read your newest release! Round of applause!

I will miss reading your blogs I have enjoyed it so much. But I will always be a devoted fan and read your books. My favorite thing is to grab a good cup of coffee and curl up on the couch with a good book. I look forward to many more wonderful books in the future. Many ((hugs)) and much love to you my friend from Oregon :)

Will miss you here on Cozy Chicks Heather. I wish you all the best with your writing, and love the fact that there will be more books coming out from you. Yay!!!!! As for favorite things: books, chocolate, animals.

I applaud you for blogging here so many years! You know I love all of your books, and if freeing up some time means there will be even more, I'm thrilled! Wishing you all the best, Heather! Merry Christmas to you and your family! <3

Seems like yesterday that we met here. I responded to one of your posts regaling my woes of gardening on a steep hillside, of strapping my body to trees to keep from tumbling downhill. You sent me red hot candies and one of your Nina books. The candies are gone, but I still have the tin. And the book, it's on my keeper shelf alongside all your other titles. I'm happy I met you, Heather. You changed my writing life, but then you know that. Stay close. And best of luck.

I will miss seeing you here on this site but I know you will still be around! 8 years is a long time to do anything so I applaud you. You have become like family to me and I am sure so many other fans and we only wish you ALL the best! I can't wait to see what you have in store for us next. Merry Christmas to you and your family and most of all Happy Writing!!

As I take a big bite out of my scrumptious virtual hot lava cake oozing of warm chocolate and dripping with fresh cherry compote, I say goodbye to a Blogger Heather and congratulate Writer Heather! I'm very excited for you for taking that big step. I know it's hard to say goodbye to such as huge part of your life.

There are great adventures ahead of you and I'm looking forward to reading every one of them in your upcoming books!! :D

Oops...forgot to mention one of my favorite things. In this moment, one of my favorite things is the homemade fudge that my husband makes for our family (and just made last night!). Best I've ever had!

My Grandson..28Months Reading to him..Just being with him=Joy...Thanks for Sharing your Voice with us through your Books...Thats very Special...Will always Have Great Memories on BN FirstLook "Truly,Madly" Discussion and patiently waiting for the next and next in The Lucy Valentine Series that we all love...Will visit you on FB,Your Blog and Twitter to keep up...xx

My favorite thing is that I passed on my love for reading to my eight-year-old daughter. She loves Nancy Drew just as much as I did when I was her age. I'll miss your blog posts! I fell in love with Nina, Lucy, Darcy, and now, Carly, and hope that this will gives you plenty of time to continue their stories.

I have enjoyed your posts and will miss them. One of my favorite things is to read. I sit in my favorite chair and read, read, read even when I should be doing other things. Keep up the good work. I have enjoyed your books and hope to read all of them in the future.

One of my favorite things is cold weather. I've always lived in Florida, and while it was a bit chillier earlier this week, the high today was 88. I could have gone swimming 4 days before Christmas! Crazy. I love cold weather and peppermint hot chocolate and sweaters, cute scarves and hats and everything cold weather-ish.

My favorite thing is a good mystery and that is why I've grown addicted to Cozy Mysteries! I love your books! Your heroine Darcy is so real as are all your wonderful characters. I look forward to collecting and reading more of your books and series in the future. You will be missed on The Cozy Chicks Blog but it does sound like you could use a break from some of your activities. I don't know how you do all that you do and write but I am so grateful that yo do! I didn't get to be on here earlier today because I have been helping an Uncle celebrate his 80th (yes 80th) birthday! I wish you all the best and look forward to your future visits with The Cozy Chick Blog.